From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V7 #148 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Mon, 6 March 2000 Vol 07 : Num 148 In this issue: the_dojang: Time's the_dojang: re: getting forms to flow the_dojang: Flow of Patterns.. the_dojang: Flow the_dojang: Re: form flow the_dojang: New topic: Opinions sought on selecting a martial arts school [none] ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. 800 members strong! Copyright 1994-2000: Ray Terry, CA Taekwondo, and Martial Arts Resource Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe the_dojang-digest" (no quotes) in the body (top line, left justified) of a plain text e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and online search the last four years worth of digest issues at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "hkdhal" Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 22:29:29 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: Time's There comes a time in every instructors life when he has to get on the mat to test or show what he can do whether it is for himself or to share where he has been or where he is going.Sat was a turning point in my life it was the first time that I was able to demonstrate and enjoy the people I have taught with no pressure of all the minute details surrounding a demonstration I had a Ball.It was nice to see Mike my top student just take to the mat with his own students,And Jesse and Jack O to hear the audience and other instructors applauding it was a good feeling and to those people that made this possible Thank you. At one point during the demonstration I borrowed a Belt of a young student whom was about five years old and threw one of the Black Belts around using Belt Techniques ,After returning the Belt I over heard as did everyone else another Boy stating that"Nick I did not know your Belt could do those things" and Nick answered neither did I.This is what it is all about they are our future, Hal ------------------------------ From: Laura Kamienski Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2000 23:18:13 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: re: getting forms to flow Hi Silke, Flow, to me, means rhythm. I think you can approach the rhythm of a form in two ways: One is the way you describe, by visualizing attackers etc. This is a very effective method for me in and of itself....sometimes. ;^) The second is like playing the drums or a musical instrument. Since I have a background in music and dance this seems to help me a lot. For example, you can leave 1/4 beat 1/2 beat, whole beat, or 1/8 beat rests in between a few short quick 1/8 notes or after a whole note technique. You can perform different techniques at forte' or pianissimo. You can add some syncopation in places where two or three techniques call for it. etc. etc... Ideally, these two methods work best together. So that the visualization of the attackers turns the form rhythm into a 'song.' A good song flows from note to note and from note to rest. A great song or dance tells a story. If I am having trouble visualizing attackers, sometimes I will make the form into a dance or song and practice it until I find the best rhythm. Sometimes after I've found it, the attackers just come to me. Other times it's the opposite. I will visualize the attackers but end up needing the sheet music to make the form flow from attacker to attacker. This may not work for you, dunno. Hope it helps a little. :^) Laura K. - -- lkamiens@ptd.net lkamnski@bucknell.edu http://home.switchboard.com/LKamienski ____________________________________________________ "I am not an angry girl. But it seems I've got everyone fooled. Every time I say something they find hard to hear, they chalk it up to my anger and never to their own fear." Ani DiFranco ____________________________________________________ ------------------------------ From: "tink73" Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 23:11:54 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Flow of Patterns.. Silke... To Silke... First of all...what form are you working on? Not that it really matters...just curious... Every form has it's own natural rhythm...perform it very slow...as slow as you can...about 3 times...then as fast as you can about three times....then do your white belt form about 3 times...now...close your eyes and see your form in your mind...perform it with your eyes closed...see if you notice a difference in your rhythm...flow is when each movement blends in with the next like two separate techniques united as one technique...and the subsequent rhythm of the following techniques as they flow together...do you understand what I am talking about? The One and Only... Tink ------------------------------ From: Chris S Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2000 23:35:15 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Flow >Silke Schulz wrote: > >First of all, what do you all consider "flow" to be, and do you have any >suggestions to improve it? I have tried visualization, but it hasn't helped >(probably because I can't get it to flow in my mind, either). I have also >struggled with this particular form with the turns...the time before this >that I competed with it, I ended the form facing the wrong direction, though >yesterday, I did get the turns right. I consider flow to be movement that is smooth and assured. (Actually it took me quite some time to write that. I know what flow is, but I almost cannot put it into words, and I do not belive that quite got it). Regardless of the definition, I have been able to improve it some by relaxing and letting the form almost guide me, so to speak. I do not consider flow to necessarily be continuous, however. I believe you can have pauses in the form and still maintain the flow. Chris ------------------------------ From: Oregfightingarts@aol.com Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 01:48:53 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: form flow Silke, I've won my fair share of form competitions, both open and traditional (korean/japanese/chinese/weapon), and have had ample experience as a judge. To accept the input from someone, I have to ask whether they are respected by you, whether they have the 'flow' in the forms that they perform, or even if they know what they are saying. Some judges are there because they were asked/told to, or dont compete or cant compete at a certain level, although you dont necessarily have to 'do' in order to 'know'. Anyway, I interpret flow to mean intuitive understanding. Whenever I learn a new form, I learn the moves, the purpose, history (if any), and commit it to my conscious mind. My forms never flow until I find myself thinking something completely different while performing them. That is when the form flows...when it becomes part of the subconscious...part of you. I practice forms facing different directions, play music, videotape, do slow motion, develop modern fighting versions, blindfold myself...anything to break it down and understand it. Then I leave it alone, and just plain practice it. I am always amused by those who are in competition who look like they are 'trying' to perform. I am always impressed by those who are relaxed, and do the form like it is a part of them. Both performers may have identical technique, but the edge is given to the person who exudes understanding. Ask yourself if you are doing the form someone taught you, or if you are doing your form...that might be the difference. Good Luck Mark Gajdostik ------------------------------ From: Ken McDonough Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 06:37:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: New topic: Opinions sought on selecting a martial arts school Seems like I stirred up a hornet's nest of emotional reactions to my serious request for comparisons of KSW vs. HKD. So, I will drop back 20 yards and punt. New Topic. This may be a lame question for seasoned martial arts veterans. However, if you were asked by an independent reporter to discuss what should a parent or student look for in selecting a martial arts school--what advice would you provide. Please keep the answers short in a top ten list fashion (if not, ok). For example: a. Teacher's philosophy and approach. For example, should a Master directly teach or just have his black belts teach ? b. Contracts or no contracts. c. Driving distance. d. Reasonable fee structure. e. Various classes f. And so forth. g. Importance of Association affiliation. h. Should the teaching curriculum be clearly spelled out or left up to the teacher's discretion. i. How often should a student train during the week. Thanks for your input. Ken McDonough __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 08:22:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: [none] ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V7 #148 ******************************** It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 405, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.com To unsubscribe from the_dojang-digest send the command: unsubscribe the_dojang-digest -or- unsubscribe the_dojang-digest your.old@address in the BODY of an email (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2000: Ray Terry, CA Taekwondo, and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.